British Snakes, UK, English, Scottish, Welsh Snakes British Snakes Guide to British Snakes Britain does not have an abundance of reptiles mostly due to it’s cool damp temperate climate unlike it’s more southerly warmer neighbours like France and Spain. It does however support three types of native British snake and quite a few different species of lizard. Whilst most people are quite aware of the two most populous native snakes that inhabit the British Isles, The Adder and the Grass Snake , few people know of a third, The Smooth Snake . The distribution of these three snakes is quite wide with the Adder being spread all over mainland Britain, the grass snake generally keeping to the warmer regions just below Scotland and down to the South Coast, and the smooth snake only found in the Southern Counties. They feed on a wide variety of smaller mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, newts and other similar size prey. In order to survive the harsh winters all three hibernate from October time right through till spring, conserving their energy by slowing down their metabolism until the sun is strong enough to be able to provide them with the solar energy they need to move and hunt. Please click the following links for more information on each species.

BBC Nature - How to identify UK reptiles Birds of prey How well do you know your native reptiles? Can you tell the difference between a slow worm and a smooth snake, or spot a common lizard from a sand lizard? If not, our handy table should help you identify these cold-blooded animals this summer. Once you think you know them why not try identifying our mystery reptile using our cunning clues at the bottom of the page, and even tell us what you have seen while out and about. The United Kingdom has six native reptile species: three snake and three lizard. Our guide is for observation only and we do not recommend handling any wild reptile. Please be cautious around adders as they are venomous and, although bites are extremely rare, they do require medical attention. Our waters are inhabited by a number of sea turtles, of which the leatherback is the most frequently recorded and can be regarded as a native species. There are also established populations of introduced and alien reptiles across the UK (more info on alien species below table). What did you see? See why slow worms develop young inside their bodies.

Alien reptiles The United Kingdom has populations of reptiles that have either gained a foothold from Europe, were deliberately released or have escaped from captivity. Here are some you may encounter: Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) - similar to the common (viviparous) lizard but has a more pointed head. Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) - large at around 35 cm and is a overall green colour. Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) - a uniform olive-yellow to brownish-green colour, lengths of 150 cm are possible. Only found around the grounds of the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis) - lengths of up to 40 cm with a brown shell that has some yellow and green, possibly escapees from captivity. Red-eared slider (terrapin) (Trachemys scripta elegans) - around 30 cm in length, look out for red stripe on each side of the head. Want to know more about alien and introduced animals and plants and whether they are good or bad for our native species? Then read our feature .

Quick tips to take with you Reptiles are cold-blooded, obtaining heat from the environment to operate normally. So a good time to observe them is when they are either basking in the sun to warm up in the morning or when the cold has slowed them down. Although difficult to spot up close, the scales can be quite characteristic, having a granular, smooth or keeled appearance. Another clue to identification is in the eye - many lizards (like our natives) have moveable eyelids whereas our snakes don't. The colour of the iris and the shape of the pupil are also really good quick guides - an adder's vertical slit of a pupil can be a very good early warning sign that you're near a venomous snake! There can be a lot of variation in colour, patterning and structure within a reptile species due to geographical separation, seasons and the sexes, all of which can make identification difficult. Remember males in the breeding season are usually more colourful. If you have a camera or phone with you, then these handy tips and tricks will help you to get the best out of your photographic equipment, whatever your level of expertise. Been inspired and want to help?

There are some wonderfully visual online guides to help you identifying Britain's reptiles. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation have a very comprehensive guide to reptile identification (pdf) that can also be downloaded from The Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK . There are also detailed pages for each species of reptile . There is another excellent guide to identifying the reptiles found in the UK from Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK. If it is just snakes you are interested in then have a look at this picture guide to identifying the UK's snakes . Once you have identified what you have seen, you can submit sightings of both native and alien reptiles to the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK , who also have links to local recording groups. The National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme run various surveys for you to sign up to and take part in, and for unusual and exotic looking reptiles, sightings can be submitted to Alien Encounters . There is also the latest observations of amphibians and reptiles from iSpot , an online resource for identifying and sharing nature. Test yourself Now you are armed with all the facts, can you identify this reptile from the clues? I have smooth flat scales.

I have black bars or spots. I can be found in heathland. Click here for the answer and to find out more about our mystery reptile . Love your reptiles? Then tell us about any you have seen and join the conversation with BBC Nature on Facebook and Twitter @BBCNature . You can also share your photos on the Springwatch Flickr group . More on This Story Your comments, photos and videos about UK wildlife in summer as it happened. How to identify Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group - Grass Snake Grass Snake Natrix natrix helvetica (Linnaeus 1758) Other Names: Introduction The Grass snake. The Grass snake is Britain's largest native terrestrial reptile, and probably its most common species of snake. Grass snakes, along with Slow worms, are the reptile that is most likely to be encountered in a garden, if you are lucky. The Grass snake grows to over a metre (3-feet) long, and is strongly associated with water habitats, including garden ponds. It is completely harmless to man, and almost never bites, even when caught. As with all native reptiles, it is illegal to harm or kill them. Grass snakes are particularly associated with water.

Identification The black and yellow collar forms a band or ring immediately behind the snakes head. The Grass Snake is most easily identifiable by the interlinked black and yellow collar which usually forms a band or ring immediately behind the snakes head. However, such a collar is missing from sub species n. astreptophorous, which normally inhabits the Iberian peninsula but can also be found in Jersey. The upper body is normally olive green or olive brown with black vertical bars along the flanks and which are interspersed by parallel rows of black dashes or dots, varying in size and shape and depending upon each individual snake, but, on the underside, the ventral scales of buff, cream or white have an equally individual chequered pattern in black. The face has marked slashes and bars of black on each side below the eye and which form a method of individual identification. © Tony Phelps Coiled Grass snake Morphology Occasional cases of polymorphism turn up and have been recorded in the UK, including several sightings of melanistic individuals, off white/buff and completely green colouration although these sightings are very rare. Melanistic Grass snakes are uncommon. © John Newton Markings like this are very rare.

© Tony Phelps Striped morph © Robert Vaughan Sexual Dimorphism The female of the species may grow up to 1.2 metres in length (Snout To Vent), however, more mature individuals have been reported as being in the region of 2 metres in length. The male is more frequently tiny in comparison and individuals of around 600mm are usually among the largest specimens recorded. the female is much larger than the male generally and the head of the female is much more pronounced in being triangular in appearance with eyes deep set into the cheeks whereas the male has an altogether more slender head with eyes that often protrude beyond the line of the face and jaw. The majority of females tend also to possess two post ocular scales as opposed to the males three post ocular scales and the female will normally have a much shorter tail to body ratio with a marked difference between body and tail width.

It is usual for the female to possess between 52-56 sub caudal scales, while the tail of the male (which tends to taper more gently from the vent, but, often with a bulge at the base of the tail) will have between 68-72 sub caudal scales, therefore making up to a third of total length. Comparative pictures of female and male heads. © Robert Vaughan Could be mistaken for... There are three other species of snake found in the UK, but only the Grass snake has the black and yellow collar behind the head. The Adder has a distinctive zig-zag pattern along its back, and the rare Smooth snake (only found in a few Southern counties) is plainer in pattern. Both of these two species lack the Grass snake's collar. The Aesculapian snake is an introduced species to the United Kingdom, and is only known to breed at Colwyn in North Wales, and on the Regent's Canal, by London Zoo. Juvenile Aesculapian snakes do have a light collar, and have been confused with Grass snakes. Aesculapians do not have the dark collar that is almost always adjacent to the yellow collar of the Grass snake.

Grass snake (left) with Smooth snake (right) © Owen Burnham Adder Sub-adult Aesculapian snake © John Newton Distribution Natrix natrix helvetica is most commonly thought of as the British Grass Snake, although its range extends east to Belgium, Germany, Sweden (where it overlaps with Natrix natrix natrix) and the Netherlands. Further east and south, its range is supplemented by other sub species namely, astreptophora, Cetti, Corsa, Cypriaca, Fusca, Gotlandica, Lanzai, Persa, Schweizeri, Sculata, Sicula, Syriaca and Tessellata, 15 (fifteen) sub species in total, although there is some disagreement as to the exact status and classification of these. And only Schweizeri in Greece and Cetti in Sicily currently occupy a position on the �Red List� of European endangered species. The distribution of the Grass Snake stretches across the paleartic region from Russia to the UK and from Spain and Greece in the south, up to Sweden and to the latitude of 65 deg North.

They have been recorded from the Balkan peninsula to the Iberian peninsula, although, many areas will not support a local population because of local ground conditions and/or climate, such as the colder, shorter summers experienced upon higher ground. Their distribution across England and Wales is becoming patchy, although with increased public awareness and changing attitudes, the provision of man-made egg laying sites, hibernacula installations and refuges in gardens such as landscaping and water features like ponds, may yet make an important difference to numbers and the frequency of local populations. Because the Grass Snake enjoys a specialised diet that includes prey items which take on both land and water borne phases annually, Natrix natrix can be found in a wide variety of macro habitats and soil type is not the primary concern, however, where ground cover is naturally restricted in mountain regions, or open and barren moors, then the incidence of natrix will be considerably reduced. They are not commonly found in Scotland, Ireland or large areas of Wales and even the counties of Wiltshire, Cornwall and Devon have areas within them where the ground conditions are not conducive to the Grass Snake life cycle.

National distribution for the Grass Snake Surrey distribution for the Grass Snake Habitat Ponds, lakes and rivers are the preferred habitat of the Grass Snake, but, not only are features such as bank-side vegetation important to provide cover against predatory hawks and herons for instance, there must be readily identifiable passages of ground cover in the form of ditches, hedges or banks of brambles which lead up to the pond�s banks. If such passages are removed from the surrounding environment, then the frequency at which Grass Snakes will visit a particular pond will reduce. Just because a pond may hold a suitable prey items, does not mean that the Grass Snake will populate the water body, because a lack of local cover or the frequency of higher predators may prevent such. When their prey take on their land borne phases, which occurs from mid summer, (June or July depending on weather) then the Grass Snake will move to drier surroundings and can be found in forest clearings, woodland edges and gardens. With the increased growth of cities, suburban developments and human activities, the inevitable disturbance to the wilder and quieter quarters of the countryside has impacted upon the migration routes of the Grass Snake and so numbers have diminished substantially over the last ten to fifteen years.

The decline in Grass Snake numbers is such, that, there is now genuine concern for their status within the UK in general and as the Grass Snake does not frequent Scotland (although it has been sighted there on occasion), mainly because of the colder climate, suitable habitats around bodies of water where amphibians are still plentiful are themselves becoming scarce. Coupled with this, as the Grass Snake is mainly diurnal in its habits, it is further restricted in its activity than say that of the Adder, in that it cannot use the cover of darkness to hunt and is therefore more prone to predation especially where ground cover is removed to provide recreational facilities and parks. This may be compounded by the fact that the snake is harmless in that it does not possess venom glands or fangs. Grass Snakes will frequent many different soil types as long as ground conditions are not too acid or alkali which may then deter prey items such as frogs, toads and newts from inhabiting an area (as their skin is permeable and susceptible to irritation) and as long as day time refuges such as crevices, hollowed, fallen logs and/or suitably dense vegetation allows good cover and shade.

Well vegetated riperian habitat is ideal for Grass snakes - although they may equally be found on heathland in late summer. Activity Grass snakes will often slough their skins in groups and at the same time of year. As the shedding process is linked to growth, weather patterns and stage of life, this is dictated locally by conditions found at any given location, so that when one skin cast is found, there is frequently up to seven or eight others to be found in the same vicinity. As the sloughing process is usually undertaken between every 6-10 weeks and given that the cycle from dulling of colour and fogging of the eye lens caps, through to the actual shedding is between 7 and 10 days, some overlap would be inevitable, but not to the extent where the whole group is coordinated, so how and why the Grass snakes employ this group strategy is still unknown. January diet switches to terrestrial amphibians August Food A Grass snake eating a Common frog. The Grass Snake�s diet has preferences which relates directly to the time of year.

From March, when the snakes emerge until mid may, they will take greater quantities of small fish, mainly because the fish are spawning during this period and are easier for the snakes to catch among the weedy fringes of water bodies. Grass snakes can often be seen lying still among lilly pads and stalking the flapping fish. From May until late June/early July, the emphasis falls onto Newts (including Great Crested variety), and again, that is because the newt�s own life cycle doesn�t include a land-borne phase until after July. From July, the snakes gradually disperse away from ponds and into forest clearings, wooded copses and longer grasses / ground cover and a higher number of Frogs and Toads will then be taken as a result. The frogs and Toads themselves had generally moved away from the ponds by April, although some are obviously predated upon between the cross over of snakes arriving at ponds in Spring and while the frogs/toads are migrating away from them. Nests of very young chicks such as moorhens are sometimes consumed by Grass snakes, (mainly to supplement an otherwise restricted diet), as are mice/voles, especially by the more mature female snakes, but these incidents are rare.

The neonates of Grass Snakes will take young/small fish, late tadpoles, and the newly metamorphosed new generation of frogs and toads and there is also some mention that worms have been consumed occasionally by Grass Snakes but this has not been scientifically proven. Small fish. Common frogs in terrestrial phase. Predators The Grass snake will 'play dead' to dissuade predators which prefer live prey. The Grass snake suffers predation by many species, including; domestic dogs, birds of prey, man, herons, pheasants, corvids, mustalids, hedgehogs, foxes and even terrapins. Neonate Grass snakes are particularly susceptible to predation by cats, pheasants and blackbirds. The main defence that the Grass Snake possesses against predation is the expulsion of a secretion from the anal glands and is mixed with faecal matter from the cloaca and which is pungent enough to discourage some attacks. Failing that, the Grass Snake has been known to play dead, by inverting itself, so that the ventral scales are shown to an aggressor and which is accompanied by the snakes jaw being held agape with the tongue protruding as though lifeless.

Like many other colubrids, the Grass Snake does not possess venom glands or fangs and is harmless to human beings although they have been known to bite on very rare occasions. Young pheasant predating a juvenile grass snake © John Tomsett Mustalids (polecat) Domestic cat (Wooster) Shelter Grass snake hibernacula are typically either rabbit burrows, or root systems of trees, provided that raised ground allows well�drained soil. Occasionally they are found under farm buildings, in hay stores and even in compost heaps in sheltered spots and where the temperature is generally higher than that of the surrounding environment. Favourite haunts during active period includes among mosses attached to roots of Heather, in deep piles of leaves, under over-hangs of banks of well fringed ponds, in the rotten stumps of fallen trees and hollowed logs. Reproduction Grass snake eggs, found in pig dung.

The Grass Snake can be found in spring (upon emergence from hibernation), to participate in �mating balls�, where up to 8 (eight) males and one-two females congregate in a tight and writhing mass that can resemble a ball of rope and can be a hub-bub of activity for up to two hours. Although there seems to be no one �alpha� male that predominates in the mating process, the male suitor is merely that that manages to couple before any of the others. It has been noted that even some of the smallest males in any group can be the active mate in coition, simply because that particular male�s hemi-penes have become ensnared within the female cloaca and thus excluding others, although, the female may mate with many males during the spring period generally. The mating ball congregations usually form with the female basking in temperatures above 13 deg c, with an open cloaca and which then attracts males to her vicinity. Once located the male will attempt to uncoil the female with a constant intertwining of his body through hers and until their vents can be aligned and positioned for the mating process.

No other form of dance or ritual like that of adders has been noted, although female Grass Snakes have been known to retreat rapidly from such mating balls and for no particular reason, but are then actively pursued by the group of males so it sometimes seems as though they are charging together through the ground cover. Once gravid, the female may not reach ovulation and oviposition of eggs for two months or so, (again, depending on weather conditions) and the size of egg clutch will be determined by and have a direct correlation with, the size of the female herself. Young females may carry only 7-15 eggs, while more mature females can increase to a clutch of mid twenties while some of the largest females (rarely) can produce up to forty eggs, but then the snake would need to be at least ten years old, in order to produce a clutch of that size. It is thought that clutches of eggs may have anything between 45% - 75% success rate of hatching into neonates and that around 50% of these survive to a breeding age. Juveniles The juvenile Grass Snake is generally a miniature version of the adult with the collar markings etc present from birth.

The incubation period is around 70 days from oviposition to hatching, though the weather will have a major impact on the period and lower temperatures and longer incubations bringing more female offspring as a result and higher temperatures / shorter incubation bringing a higher percentage of males. All neonates leave the egg with an umbilical chord attached but which withers and breaks away, sometimes within hours but sometimes taking up to two days to detach fully. The neonates will normally always consume prey before hibernation although it is thought that the first hibernation period sees the greatest losses in Grass Snake numbers, partially due to lack of suitable prey and inexperience in locating deep enough hibernacula where frost can be avoided. The young of the Grass snake upon hatching are usually between 148-150mm in length and in the first year, this will have increased to 210-220mm. The young males are thought to become sexually mature before they reach 300mm in length. A juvenile Grass snake is a minature of an adult. Juvenile Grass snake - held to demonstrate size. Ventral surface.

Conservation The estimated Grass Snake population in the UK is suggested to be around 365,000 snakes, however, losses in the last fifteen years means that this figure is expected to be a considerable over-estimate and may now be as low as 180,000. Natrix natrix helvetica has only minimal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which bans the taking for sale, killing or injuring of any Grass Snake, but which does not protect their habitat per se. Although both the UK�s and the European biodiversity plans hint at conservation, the specialised niche of the Grass Snake and its needs are not addressed in any SSSI�s or SAC�s within the UK, although two sub species are protected fully under European law, namely Natrix cetti and Schweizeri. Areas such as Minsmere in Suffolk, Purbeck in Dorset and also within the New forest, provide hope that long term conservation of the species can be achieved although in more urban situations and suburban areas without green belt, the population losses are unlikely to stabilise without even greater introductions of garden ponds and sympathetic gardening practices that allow for �wild areas� to remain. Designation Seen a snake?

- Woking Borough Council Woking Borough Council Useful contacts and links Snakes are protected by law All snakes in the UK are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Schedule 5 and it is an offence to kill, injure or take a native snake. Back to top Which snake is it? There are three native species (grass snake, adder and smooth snake) and one legless lizard (slow-worm), which may be confused for a snake. All species are currently in decline mainly due to habitat loss. Snakes are naturally secretive creatures and because of their behaviour they are often feared by humans. Grass snake (Natrix natrix) This is the largest snake in the UK, growing to about 150 cm but more commonly up to around 75 cm (2.5 ft). It is normally a shade of green with short black vertical bars and/or spots running along its sides and sometimes along the back. There is a yellow or white coloured collar behind the head bordered to the rear with black markings. Often found near water such as rivers, canals, ponds, as well as open grassland, open woodland and quite often gardens that adjoin these habitats.

Compost heaps in gardens may be used as egg-laying sites, if so the young will appear in late August and September. Grass snakes may visit your garden pond because they mainly feed on amphibians and fish but they are harmless to humans. Adder (Vipera berus) Adders typically grow to around 55 cm (2 ft) and have a distinctive zigzag pattern running along the length of their back. Female snakes are usually brown with dark brown markings and male snakes are normally grey or buff with black markings. They are mainly found on rough grassland and heathland. Adders do not lay eggs or make nests. They give birth in late summer or early autumn. They are the only venomous snake in the UK, but because the venom is designed to kill small animals like voles it is not particularly potent. You are more likely to be harmed by bees or horses. However, if you are bitten by an adder it is advisable to seek medical assistance immediately. Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) Smooth snakes are slender and normally grow to around 55 cm (2 ft).

They are grey or grey-brown with darker markings along their back and usually a 'butterfly' shape on the top of their head. They are very rare in the UK but can be found in heathland habitats in Surrey. It would be very unusual to find a smooth snake in your garden. They are very secretive and would normally be found underneath objects. Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) The slow-worm is in fact a lizard, but it has no legs and it is often mistaken for a snake. They are smaller than our native snakes, usually growing to about 40 cm (16 inches). The scales are small and smooth, giving slow-worms a shiny or polished appearance. Female and juvenile snakes tend to have a golden-brown background with a thin black line running along their back. Adult males tend to have a duller brown/grey background and usually lack the darker stripe. Slow-worms are fairly widespread in the UK and are often found in grassland and heathland. They can be quite common in some urban/suburban areas and are most likely to be found in gardens and allotments. They feed largely on slugs and are therefore useful visitors to our gardens.

You will find them mainly underneath objects such as paving slabs or in compost heaps. Exotic species Non-native snake species, either accidentally or escaped pets, may be encountered. These can be a variety of colours and sizes and common example is a corn snake. If you see a snake that you cannot identify from the list provided please contact the RSPCA for assistance on 0870 33 35 999. If you see a snake... Keep calm! Take a good look, but don't touch, catch or trap the snake. Try to identify the snake using the pictures and information provided. Snakes are timid and usually flee from people and pets. Grass snakes and slow-worms, which are harmless, often visit gardens. Adders, which are venomous but normally pose little threat, rarely occur in gardens. Smooth snakes are very rare and only a few thousand individuals are left in the wild so it is unlikely that you will see one in your garden. It is illegal to kill or injure native snakes. Cruelty Line 0870 55 55 999 To report an injured or distressed snake.

Advice Line 0870 33 35 999 For general advice and assistance. FROGlife ï¿½01733 558960 Froglife is a national wildlife charity concerned with the protection and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the UK. There are a number of fact sheets available online and an identification poster. Report any sightings of snakes to the trust and provide as much detail as possible such as: species, location, date, weather conditions, and habitat type. Natural England ï¿½01483 452050 - Surrey office Information and advice about reptiles in your garden is available online and can be downloaded for free. Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group - Adder Adder Vipera berus berus (Linnaeus, 1758) Other Names: Introduction The shy Adder is Britain's only venomous reptile. The Adder is a native animal of the UK, and the only venomous reptile. It is a stocky snake of less than a metre long and is very shy of human presence.

Adders can be found at woodland edges, roadside verges, chalk grassland or dry heathland. The Adder is present in almost every county of Great Britain, but very rare in London and the northern home counties, the Adder is believed to be in decline. As the UK's only venomous reptile, there is a weath of British folklore associated with this elusive creature. The Druids believed that one of the strongest mystical charms was the Adder-stone or glain neidyr. This was a small glass-like stone with a hole, which was believed to be made by the snakes on Midsummer's eve. The charm is supposedly a cure for a wide range of ailments and could even cure the bite of an Adder. Identification The most distinguishing feature of the Adder is the dark zig-zag pattern running along the animal�s back. No other native animal has this marking. The adder has a red eye, and is the only native reptile with a vertically split pupil. Male Adders tend to be a cream or light brown colour with a black ventral zig-zag marking. Females are usually brown with a dark brown zig-zag. The adder can demonstrate a tremendous diversity in colouration.

Black adders are not unusual, and base colouration can vary from creams to browns or oranges. The zig-zag markings of this female adder are unmistakable. The Adder has an entirely red iris with a vertically split pupil. This is a unique feature for native British reptiles. Sexual Dimorphism Accurate differentiation between male and female adders can be difficult. Generally, if the dorsal (along the back) zig-zag is black, then the animal is a male, if the zig-zag is brown, then the animal is likely to be female. This rule of thumb is about 90% accurate, unfortunately, at certain times of the year, when the snake has not sloughed its skin for a while, accurate differentiation can be difficult. The female Adder has a brown zig-zag pattern. The male Adder has a black zig-zag pattern. A female adder moving across country. Could be mistaken for... Any snake can be mistaken for an adder, commonly grass snakes are wrongly identified as adders, although a glance at the identification pages will show a host of differences between the two species.

The other native snake, the Smooth snake is far more adder-like than the Grass snake; however both these snakes have a round pupil and no zig-zag along their back. The Smooth snake is extremely rare, and unless you are on dry heathland in the Southern counties you will not see one (you probably won�t see one even if you are in the right spot!). Distribution The Adder is the most northerly distributed reptile, and is well adapted to cool conditions. They can even be found within the edge of the arctic circle. The UK subspecies; Vipera berus berus can be found across Europe as far east as the Ural mountains in Russia, and as far south as the Mediterranean. Its northerly extent includes Scandinavia and Russia as far north as the arctic circle. The UK represents the westerly extreme of the adder�s range. The Adder can be found across England, Scotland and Wales, but is absent from Northern Ireland and Eire. Surrey has a very strong population of Adders, although this may be declining. Surrey is certainly one of the stronghold counties within England.

National distribution for the Adder Surrey distribution for the Adder Habitat Adders are traditionally associated with chalk-land habitats, and avoid the damper clay-based habitats. Adders can be very adaptable, being found predominantly on dry heathland, chalk grassland, hedgerows, road verges and woodland margins. All these habitats must provide a good food source of small mammals, good cover to avoid predation and open sunlight spots for thermal regulation. Heathland is ideal habitat for Adders. Forest rides provide high concentrations of Adders. Chalk grassland provides excellent drainage for Adders. Activity The adder is a diurnal predator, however on particularly warm summer nights it is known that adders also hunt during the hours of darkness. Best survey time is from mid-March until mid-July for both visual and refugia survey. The mating period varies, depending upon annual weather conditions, but usually the last two weeks of April or the first week of May. After the mating period, male Adders (and juveniles) migrate to wetter communal hunting areas shared by adders from various hibernacula.

This can make summer months difficult for survey, although most females stay close to hibernacula sites, those in reproduction basking openly to aid development of their unborn young. All animals return to the proximity of the hibernacula site towards the end of September. Juveniles may follow scent trails back to a different hibernacula area to their orign, thus aiding genetic diversity. January Food Adult female adder predating a rat - prey is habitually swallowed head first. © Terry Longley ( Like all native snakes, the adder will eat any animal that it can overpower and swallow, however; the adder tends to specialise in small mammals, particularly voles. Research has shown that adders take a significant period of time to digest their prey. It is not infrequent for an adder to survive from eating only one small mammal per month. There are reports that some adder populations primarily predate amphibians, such as the common frog. Presumably this is due to a lack of small mammals, but demonstrates this snake's dietary flexibility. Nesting birds are also taken when the opportunity is presented. Other reptiles may also be taken, with many reports of common lizard and slow worm making up a part of the adder's diet.

Although it is generally believed that the adder is an ambush predator, they can often be seen actively hunting for prey. It is believed that the adder strikes its victim, then immediately releases (once a lethal dose of venom has been injected). By doing this the adder avoids any possible injury from struggling prey. The adder will then track its victim, scenting the trail by use of its flickering tongue �tasting� the air. The adder can track the individual prey item, regardless of crossing tracks left by other animals of the same species. Small mammals such as the Field vole are the staple diet of Adders. At some sites - Adders are known to favour common frogs as prey. Reptiles also make up a significant part of the Adder's diet - particularly for juvenile snakes. Predators The Adder will only assume this defensive posture; head raised, body coiled to strike, hissing loudly, when flight is not an option. Most of the adder�s predators are birds. Birds of prey will take an adder, but so will members of the crow family, some sea gulls and even herons. Perhaps the main predator of young and small adders is the pheasant!

Smooth snakes, although rare will eat adders of up to 30cm in length. Mammal predators include badgers, foxes and even hedgehogs. In certain parts of the country, pole cats and their relations the stoat and pine marten may predate on adders. Research has shown that the zig-zag markings along the adder�s back are recognised by predators as a warning that the adder can defend itself with venom. This defence mechanism is known as aposetism. The adder's first defence against all predator threats is to move quickly and silently into deep cover, such as a gorse thicket. Only as a last resort will the Adder bite, and even then will posture and hiss to warn a predator that it can defend itself. There are around 100 adder bites to humans each year in the UK. Victims are usually male, who have picked up the Adder with their hands! There have been only 12 reported deaths from Adder bite, and none since the mid 1970s. Some of these fatalities are believed to have been due to the administration of early antivenins, when the risk of untreated allergic reaction was higher than today.

Healthy humans usually recover fully within three weeks (children often within two weeks), although some nagging aches can persist for longer periods. Antivenin is only used for severe bites, although anybody bitten by an adder should seek immediate medical attention. Pheasant Polecat Shelter Adder hibernacula (hibernation places) are of vital importance for the long-term survival of the species. Adders use the same hibernacula for life, and often generations of the animal have used the same hibernacula. Hibernation sites must be dry, and have protection from frost and predators. Typical hibernacula include living root systems, unused burrow networks, and especially the root systems of trees that have been blown over by gales and have overgrown. This fallen-tree stump has overgrown yet will be full of hollows; ideal for an Adder hibernacula This tarpaulin-covered pile of logs is an active Adder hibernacula on a working dairy farm. Reproduction Gravid Adders are often conspicuous as they need to bask for long periods during the summer, to aid development of their young. In April, the male adder actively seeks out a potential mate.

This �mate searching� activity can be frantic, with male adders patrolling at speed, searching for pheromone trails. At this time it is possible to approach adders without any apparent shyness from the animal. When a male finds a potential mate, he will slither along her side tongue-flicking the female. If successfully received, the two will mate. After mating, the male will then �mate guard�; coiling next to the female in an attempt to prevent other males from mating with her. Should a rival male approach, the two males will slide along each other, almost as if they are comparing their lengths. If the challenge progresses, both males will wind around each other, trying to force their opponent�s head to the ground. This produces an awe inspiring spectacle known as the �dance of the adders� and should you be lucky enough to witness this graceful spectacle, it is an event you will never forget. This �fight� lasts for only a few minutes before one of the males will concede defeat and leave the site at high speed, chased for several metres by the successful male. Should the original male win, he will resume his mate guarding adjacent to the female.

Should he lose, the new victor will attempt to woo the female, and the cycle starts anew. The adult female adder will bear live young every two or three years. The energy used to produce the young cannot be replaced in a single year, so adders are (generally) not capable of giving birth every year. Between three and twenty young are born towards the end of September (in the UK). The young snakes are left to fend for themselves, but can often be seen basking in twos or threes for the first month of life. The male Adder (top right) is mate-guarding the female (top left). The male at the bottom is an intruder. When detected - the mate-guarding Adder challenged the intruder The challenge escalates into the 'Dance of the Adders'. Juveniles Juveniles are live-born in late summer. The parents play no part in their development, however the young adders are often observed in the same area as the mother for a few days after birth. In the 19th century, naturalists believed that the mother adder would protect its young by swallowing them, regurgitating them when the danger had passed.

Although some credible witnesses attested to this occurrence, it is not now believed to be true. The markings of juvenile adders are identical to that of adults. The patternation of each animal is as unique as a fingerprint, and can be used to identify an individual animal throughout its life. Juvenile colouration tends to be more orange than the adults, with ginger specimens commonly observed. Juvenile Adders specialise in the predation of juvenile, or even adult common lizards and Slow worms, although any living prey of a similar size is likely to be taken. As with adults, the juveniles may regurgitate recently swallowed prey items when threatened in order to better make an escape. This juvenile Adder shows the characteristic ginger colouration. Never pick up an Adder ! - Juvenile held by an expert to demonstrate size © Paul Smith The adult common lizard (foreground) was regurgitated - having been caught and eaten by this small adder! © Liam Russell Conservation Adders are a protected species across the United Kingdom. They are protected from being taken from the wild, being killed and from being sold. They are not legally protected from disturbance, as are some of the rarer species.

Unfortunately, Adders are still persecuted by humans, with many being killed each year from fear or ignorance. The main threat to the adder is loss of habitat, and the increased use of commercial pesticides that disrupt the adder�s food chain. Being shy by nature, the adder is also susceptible to human disturbance. Of critical importance to the adders well-being, is the identification and protection of traditional hibernacula. There are an estimated 65,000 breeding pairs of Adder within the United Kingdom, although this figure is believed to be declining. Key factors affecting this decline include: Loss of habitat due to development. Loss of suitable basking sites due to unsympathetic management practices. Loss of suitable basking sites due to intentional afforestation. Direct persecution/pressure by humans.

Question: There are three snakes native to Britain, the adder, the grass snake and which other?
Answer: THE SMOOTH SNAKE